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http://www.archive.org/details/inmemoriamjohnvaOOchic 


Clarke  jMemoml 


In  jMcmomm 

'John  Taugban  Clarke 

Bom  in  Chicagot  October  fifteenth, 
eighteen  sixty-two 

Died  in  Chicago,  May  thirty-first, 
nineteen  eleven 


Chicago 

privately  printed 

MCJMXII 


jfobn  Vaugban  Clarke 

was  bred  in  the  envtromnent  of  bis  own  life's  worh, 
surrounded  by  tbose  burdened  with  tbe  responsibility 
of  a  great  banking  institution.  Re  was  bom  October 
15,  1862.  Ris  honored  father,  bearing  the  same  name, 
was  the  founder  of  Che  Bibemian  Banking  Hssocia- 
tion,  and  instilled  in  his  son  all  the  high  qualities  and 
businesslike  characteristics  which  he  himself  possessed. 

Hfter  he  had  graduated  from  the  Chicago  public 
schools,  '^fohn  Taughan  Clarke  attended  St.  Ignatius 
College  and  then  Barnes  Hcademy.  In  his  eighteenth 
year  our  late  associate  entered  the  bank  as  a  messenger, 
and  from  then  on  he  worked  in  every  branch  and  quali- 
fied in  each  department,  until  upon  the  death  of  his 
father,  in  1892  he  was  elected  his  successor  as  presi- 
dent. 6ach  promotion,  however,  was  earned  by  honest 
endeavor  and  application  to  his  duties,  favoritism  did 
not  procure  his  rapid  advance  in  the  Bank,  but  his 
sterling  ability  and  faithfulness  carried  him  forward 
to  the  high  position  which  he  finally  achieved.  Hll 
who  watched  the  exceptionally  intelligent  diligence 
with  which  the  young  man  fairly  earned  each  advance- 
ment accord  him  this  praise. 


In    jMemoriam 

Bie  unusual  efficiency  was  not,  however,  measured 
by  his  ability  as  a  banher  only,  but  was  augmented  by 
many  accomplishments,  which  he  had  quietly  acquired* 
In  his  worh  in  the  Banh  he  soon  saw  the  need  of  some 
legal  hnowledge  to  mahe  more  thorough  his  training 
as  a  banher*  Hlthough  he  never  tooh  a  bar  examina- 
tion, by  utilizing  the  spare  time  after  hard  worh  in 
the  Banh,  he  obtained  a  surprisingly  good  knowledge 
of  banking  law,  equal  to  many  who  specialized  in  that 
worh  only.  Ris  acquirements  in  that  direction,  and 
the  high  ambition  which  it  reflected,  won  him  not 
only  universal  respect,  but  also  the  admiration  of 
attorneys  with  whom  he  came  in  contact,  and  who 
were  bound  to  realize  and  were  astonished  at  the  high 
degree  of  his  legal  attainments. 

Ofohn  Taughan  Clarke's  studies  and  his  bank  duties 
did  not,  however,  shut  him  off  from  pleasures  and 
recreations,  or  deprive  him  of  companionship  with  his 
fellows,  and  from  mingling  in  social  affairs,  ^ith 
his  accomplishments  and  knowledge  he  combined  great 
modesty,  the  best  proof  of  which  was  the  numerous 
friends  he  drew  about  him,  and  who  were  proud  to 
have  a  comrade  so  true  and  loyaL  Once  his  confidence 
was  gained  he  never  wavered  as  a  friend.  "Chose 
who  were  fortunate  enough  to  have  acquired  his 
friendship,    loved    him  for    his  bigheartedness  and 


'John   Yaugban    Clarhe 

htndmsd^  as  did  also  all  who  knew  htm  or  knew  of 
htm.  Chcre  was  a  prtmtttw  honesty,  a  gentle  open- 
ness in  his  nature  which  silently  conveyed  an  impression 
of  deep-rooted  goodness. 

Be  was  the  last  to  speak  of  his  acts  of  personal 
benevolences,  but  they  were  many  and  constant.  Bis 
name  and  aid  were  sought  by  and  were  granted  to 
many  public  and  private  institutions  of  philanthropic 
worh,  without  ostentation  or  appearance  of  pose.  Be 
did  the  thing  itself,  disdaining  to  be  pictured  in  the 
doing  of  it.  In  fact,  his  charm  of  true  modesty  shone 
equally  in  his  public,  professional  and  private  life. 

**6ood  deeds  the  chosen  work  he  wrought, 

Sweet  thoughts  most  highly  prized, 
]Hor  power  nor  fame  by  him  was  sought, 
]Hor  humble  things  despised.^' 

Reared  with  a  healthy  body  as  well  as  mind,  "jfchn 
Taughan  Clarhe  as  a  boy  enjoyed  all  Hmerican  sports 
and  later  relaxed  his  mind  from  the  cares  of  business 
and  relieved  himself  from  the  whirl  of  the  city  life  by 
occasional  trips  to  the  country.  Chere  he  found  natural 
relief  and  pleasure  in  the  fresh  country  air  and  healthy 
recreation  as  a  fisherman  in  some  quiet  stream.  Be 
soon  became  an  ardent  angler  and  roaming  amidst  the 
quiet  charm  of  the  woods  he  acquired  great  shill  as  a 

[3] 


Xn  IMemortani 

hunter  and  ttiarhsmaiu  RctuMitng  to  the  city  with  his 
mind  and  body  refreshed  and  inspired  by  the  noble 
impressions  from  nature,  his  energy  was  stimulated 
to  accomplish  higher  aims  and  his  mind  was  embol- 
dened to  face  every  problem, 

Hs  a  member  of  sex>eral  clubs,  for  good  fellowship 
was  natural  to  him,  his  refined  sociability  placed  him 
in  the  high  esteem  of  his  fellow  club  members.  But 
5ohn  Taughan  Clarhe  not  only  valued  the  club  as  a 
utility,  but  enjoyed  it  to  the  fiiU  on  occasion. 

Hs  a  citizen  he  was  in  the  true  sense  broad  minded 
and  public  spirited.  F)e  tooh  a  deeper  and  more  active 
interest  in  public  questions  and  movements  than  his 
quiet  manner  conveyed  to  those  who  did  not  hnow  him 
welU  Bis  sterling  qualities  stood  every  test,  or  he 
would  not  so  cordially  have  been  honored  and  weighted 
with  offices  involving  real  duties  and  bringing  no 
emoluments.  Hgain,  the  virtue  of  honest  modesty 
veiled  much  zealous  activity.  Be  thought  out  each 
problem  as  it  arose,  decided  on  his  course  of  action, 
and  pursued  it  with  steadfast  eye  regardless  of  the 
petty  manoeuvres  that  too  often  degrade  the  science  of 
politics  to  a  mere  game  of  policy. 

Be  was  as  true  an  Hmerican  as  he  was  devoted  to 
his  religion.    Both  were  to  him  mental  stimulants 

[41 


7ohii  Taughan   Clarhe 

which  enabled  him  to  strive  for  great  achievettienta 
and  noble  deeds.  Religion  was  a  shield  for  him 
against  vice,  falsehood  and  flattery,  and  patriotism 
gave  him  the  strength  to  fight  for  all  his  ideals  and  to 
reach  the  zenith  of  his  ambition. 

7ohn  Taughan  Clarke  married  Bertha  Bnglish  at 
Columbus,  Ohio  in  1889.  CClhoever  was  fortunate 
enough  to  have  a  glance  at  him,  reveling  in  the  sweeter 
delights  of  the  home  fireside,  got  a  true  picture  of  the 
real  man.  Chere  was  the  devoted  husband  enjoying 
the  blessings  of  a  happy  home  and  the  love  of  the  one 
dearest  to  his  heart,  ^bcvc  lay  the  real  strength,  the 
real  root  of  all  the  good  qualities  and  great  achieve- 
ments which  forced  us  to  admire  his  public  life.  Cdc 
who  hnew  him  in  his  life,  who  loved  him  as  our  dear 
friend,  who  respected  him  as  our  honored  acquaintance, 
will  cherish  his  memory  for  all  time.  Ris  life  stands 
for  all  eternity,  a  monument  which  neither  time  nor 
storm  can  destroy. 


[5] 


Cribute  to  the  inemoi'y 
of 

jfobn  Vaugban  Clarke 


In  JVIetnoriam 


Resolution  passed  by  the  Chicago  Clearing  F>ou8e  Hssociatton 
at  a  special  meeting  held  on  May  31,  1911. 


X^ributc  to  the  nwinory  of 

jfobn  Vaugban  Clarhc 

Che  mcTtibers  of  the  Chicago  Cleanup  r>ou9c  Hsso- 
ciatton, in  special  meetincf  assembledt  desire  to  expi*ess 
their  deep  regret  at  the  sudden  death  of  their  esteemed 
associate,  ^ohn  Taughan  Clarke,  and  to  record  their 
high  appreciation  of  his  worthy  life  and  character. 

"^fohn  Taughan  Clarke  was  bom  in  Chicago,  October 
1 5,  1 862,  and  his  entire  life  has  been  spent  in  this  city. 

Ht  the  age  of  18  he  entered  the  Bibemian  Banking 
Hssociation,  of  which  his  father  was  founder  and 
president,  and  step  by  step  he  won  his  way  until  on 
the  death  of  his  father  in  1 892,  he  was  fully  prepared 
to  succeed  him.  Cinder  his  administration  the  bank 
has  steadily  increased  in  the  size  of  its  business  and 
in  its  importance  to  the  financial  interests  of  Chicago. 

[81 


'John  Taughan  Clarke 

JMr.  Clarhe^s  budincsa  ability,  foresight  and  judgmetit 
were  rcmarhablc,  while  his  business  standard  was  that 
of  integrity  and  square  dealing,  his  character  was 
marhed  by  self-reliance,  honesty,  firmness  and  courtesy, 
which  won  him  success  in  his  profession,  and  the 
admiration  and  respect  of  his  associates. 

<Zlith  these  qualities  of  character,  jMi**  Clarhe  com- 
bined a  hind  heart,  and  a  genial  nature  which  prompted 
him  to  hindly  acts  of  charity  and  generosity. 

Re  was  the  honored  Tice-president  of  this  Hssocia- 
tion  during  the  years  of  1899  and  1900,  and  its 
president  during  the  year  1901. 

Now  that  he  has  been  so  suddenly  called  from  us  we 
desire  to  record  our  estimate  of  him  as  an  honorable 
banher,  a  good  citizen  and  a  loyal  friend  whose  loss  we 
deeply  deplore. 


[9] 


In  JMeiiioriaiii 

Cbc  Of ftccrs  and  Diwctors  of  Cb€  Ribcmian  Banking 
Hssoctatton  present  tbie  testimonial  of  tbeir  apprecia- 
tion of  tbe  life  and  cbaracter  of  tbe  late  president  of 
tbe  bank,  lobn  Taugban  Clarke* 


Charles  C.  Hdstt 
George  Hllen 
Raines  R.  Barnard 
fienry  B.  Clarke 
Louis  B.  Clarke 
Frederic  S.  I>ebard 
'Julius  Kessler 
Hdolpb  Kurz 


Oavtd  R.  Lewis 
Robert  R»  ^Icel•w>ec 
everett  R.  Mcf  adden 
lobn  VOL  Mac  6eagb 
3obn  p.  Murpby 
KiTiTicy  Smitb 
Oailltam  H.  Cilden 
Ixmpstead  (Clasbbume 


10 


HGr 


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»«*s«wJK\: 


